Distinguished Young Women

'''Distinguished Young Women''', formerly known as '''America's Junior Miss''', is a national non-profit organization that provides scholarship opportunities to high school senior girls.<ref name="pressreg1">{{cite news |title=America's Junior Miss gets new name; 10 finalists introduced as Distinguished Young Women |first=Daniela |last=Werner |newspaper=Press-Register |date=26 June 2010 |url=http://blog.al.com/live/2010/06/americas_junior_miss_gets_new.html }}</ref> Depending on the schedule of the various state and local programs, young women are eligible during the summer preceding their senior year in high school. This program is designed to provide young women with the opportunity and support needed to succeed before, during, and after attending college. In addition, through the Distinguished Young Women Life Skills program, which includes workshops and online resources, participants can learn skills like interviewing, public speaking, self-confidence building and much more. Since its creation in 1958, over 700,000 young ladies have participated in competitions spanning the United States. Participants compete in the categories of Interview (25%), Scholastics (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%). Each state hosts a state program in which the chosen representative advances to the national program, held in the program's birthplace of Mobile, Alabama. Each year the Distinguished Young Women program gives out over $1 billion in scholarships. The Distinguished Young Women program is free to enter.<ref name="Officialsite">{{cite web |url=http://www.ajm.org/about/ |title=About Distinguished Young Women |work=Distinguished Young Women |accessdate=27 June 2010}}</ref>

==History== ===Early years=== In the late 1920s, Mobile's Junior Chamber of Commerce, known today as the Jaycees, began the earliest form of the Junior Miss program as an annual floral pageant in the spring to encourage participation from residents in local beautification projects, including azalea flowers. The winner of the pageant would eventually choose her successor to carry on the role of representing the annual program: an act similar to what every America's Junior Miss has done a year after winning the title, but it's the judges who decide first.

Shortly after the Second World War, the Junior Chamber changed the program especially for young high school juniors to participate. Prizes included the honor of being queen of the Azalea Trail Maids, Mobile's official hostesses at special events. Before 1957, the Junior Chamber realized that not only were Mobilians participating in their program, so were Mississippi and Florida residents. It was decided that year to make the program national, allowing high school seniors from every state to participate in the renamed America's Junior Miss. Unlike the Miss America pageant which started as a beauty pageant, but now includes judging on Evening Gown, Private 12 Minute Interview, On Stage Q & A, and Swimsuit, America's Junior Miss has always been a scholarship program. America's Junior Miss participants were required to be seniors in high school and were judged on scholastic achievement, creative and performing arts, physical fitness, poise and appearance, and a judges' interview. Bathing suits were never a part of the America's Junior Miss.<ref name="Officialsite"/>

The first national finals were held in March 1958 at the Saenger Theater in downtown Mobile, with 18 states represented.<ref name="Officialsite"/> Phyllis Whitenack of West Virginia won $5000 in scholarship money, along with the title of America's Junior Miss.

===1960s=== In 1963, all 50 states had their own Junior Miss in the national finals. The 1960s was a decade of excellence for the America's Junior Miss program, with new sponsors such as Kodak and Chevrolet, the program was able to continue increasing scholarship beyond $24,000 and bring Mobile's annual event before the eyes of network television viewers regularly for 20 years starting in 1965. From 1965-1972, the pageant was telecast on NBC. Among the entertainers invited to perform at the finals early in the Sixties was Eddie Fisher. In this decade, two holders of the Junior Miss title would soon lead successful careers while supporting the organization that helped them along the way. Missouri Junior Miss and America's Junior Miss 1961 Mary Frann would one day appear on TV programs such as ''Newhart'' and numerous variety shows in her acting career. Frann helped found the alumnae organization America's Junior Miss Council in 1995. Kentucky Junior Miss and America's Junior Miss 1963 Diane Sawyer continued to support the program as her career in journalism continued, which led to a position at the ABC Television Network program ''Good Morning America'' and most recently to be the second woman to individually hold the anchor chair nationally for a nightly news program ''World News'' on ABC television (Barbara Walters, Elizabeth Vargas and Connie Chung co-anchored with male counterparts).

===1970s=== The New Seekers appeared at the May 1973 finals, hosted by Ed McMahon. Beginning in 1973, the telecast aired annually on CBS, where it would stay through 1985. Actor Michael Landon would host the national finals for the first time in 1974, his first out of seven appearances. Also in 1974, Donna Alexander of New Jersey, became the first black female to reach this point of the competition. Alumni from this decade include America's Junior Miss 1973 Linda Rutledge Delbridge of Kansas, who would one day become a computer scientist and executive for IBM. Georgia Junior Miss 1976 Deborah Norville followed a journalism career path that would earn her the job of hosting the syndicated news program ''Inside Edition''. Maryland Junior Miss 1971 was Kathie Lee Gifford, who would one day host a syndicated talk show with TV personality Regis Philbin. In spite of never advancing to the 1971 finals, Georgia contender Kim Basinger would later have an acting career that would lead her to an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie ''L.A. Confidential''. Before becoming a Tony Award-winning producer, Bonnie Comley, won the talent competition in the Junior Miss Massachusetts program in 1977.

===1980s=== Andy Gibb performed for the audience and the Junior Misses participating at the 1980 national finals. One year later, the format known as "theater in the round" was introduced for the finals and its television broadcasts. Mary Frann returned for the finals in 1985 to co-host with Bruce Jenner (now known as Caitlyn Jenner), the last telecast in an annual run on CBS that began in 1973. The outreach program "Be Your Best Self" became the official platform of the America's Junior Miss program in 1987, when Wisconsin's Junior Miss Chuti Tiu became the first non-Caucasian national winner. America's Junior Miss 1980 Julie Bryan Moran hosted the finals in 1988. The national finals were moved from the Mobile Civic Center arena to the theater section in 1989. Among the Junior Miss participants in this decade who would become well known were Georgia's Julie Moran, who would anchor the syndicated TV program ''Entertainment Tonight'' and 1986 Rhode Island Junior Miss Debra Messing, whose acting career led to earning one of the leading roles in the sitcom ''Will & Grace''. At the end of the Eighties, the name of the program was changed to "America's Young Woman of the Year" to renew interest, but it was later realized that this new identity was unlike the long established brand of America's Junior Miss that interested many participants. The name "America's Junior Miss" would be restored in 1993.

===1990s=== In 1994, the America's Junior Miss finals once again became a national event on television. One of the guests this time was actor Brian Austin Green of the TV series ''Beverly Hills, 90210''. One year later, the NBC Television Network stopped televising the finals. The judging criteria for the local and national levels of the program would be revamped in 1995. With help from David G. Bronner of the Retirement Systems of Alabama and Raycom Media, viewers got to see Alabama's Junior Miss Tyrenda Williams become the first black America's Junior Miss in 1997 and earn $30,000 in scholarship out of a total of $97,500 for the winners. The number of stations airing the national finals would increase from 50 to 177 in 1998. The 1999 finals, hosted by 1976 Georgia Junior Miss Deborah Norville aired tape-delayed on The Nashville Network, which would air the event live in 2000 and 2001.

===2000s=== In 2000, for the first time ever, a scholarship of $50,000 was the top prize and Utah Junior Miss Jesika Henderson earned it along with the title of America's Junior Miss that year. Both Deborah Norville and Karen Morris Gowdy took part in the 2001 finals, with Norville hosting the finals and Gowdy handling the preliminary round. Singer Toby Keith provided entertainment for the finals. Dan Marino joined Norville for the finals in 2002, which aired nationally on the PAX TV network. Billy Gilman and 3rd Faze were also part of the 2002 finals. The 2004 finals were a little different from previous years, as the 50 Junior Misses were taped for documentary segments spanning their two weeks of preparation.

In 2005, the AJM Board of Directors' executive committee was unsuccessful at retaining sponsors and a major television network willing enough to broadcast the national finals. The Board of Directors had no choice but to make the 2005 national finals on June 25 possibly the very last for America's Junior Miss. After Mississippi's Junior Miss Kelli Lynn Schutz was chosen and given a $50,000 scholarship, she was not originally scheduled for any of the traditional AJM appearances. The 2005 finals, hosted by 2000 America's Junior Miss Jesika Henderson and actor Nicky Brown, airing live on the Mobile CBS affiliate WKRG-TV and pre-recorded for PAX TV on June 27 was a celebration of all 48 years of accomplishing a feat that no other organization similar to AJM would attempt: prepare and encourage the lives of young women beginning to enter a new world of possibility.

The organization had originally set a date of September 30, 2005 to end operations. A group of concerned Junior Miss supporters, under the band of Friends of AJM and with the website saveajm.org, fought for the continuation of the program. On August 9 the board of directors decided that the national finals should continue to be held in Mobile, only without any national television coverage as part of the new budget.

Through the efforts of Junior Miss supporters across the country, America's Junior Miss continued operations from the national headquarters in Mobile. The board of directors hired Becky Jo Peterson, formerly chair of the California Junior Miss program, as the new executive director. In June 2006, 50 state Junior Misses spent two weeks in Mobile, Alabama, for the 49th annual national finals where Kentucky's Junior Miss Taylor Phillips was chosen as the new America's Junior Miss. More than $100,000 in scholarships were awarded at the national finals to the class of 2006.

2007 marked the 50th anniversary of America's Junior Miss. The national finals were held June 28–30 at the Mobile Civic Center Theater in Mobile, where more than $150,000 in scholarships were awarded.

===2010s=== It was announced on June 26, 2010 that America's Junior Miss would now be renamed Distinguished Young Women.<ref name="pressreg1"/> This change was intended in part to help differentiate the program from pageants. Idaho's Madison Denise Leonard was named America's first Distinguished Young Woman.<ref name="pressreg2">{{cite news |title=Idaho wins: Madison Leonard named 1st Distinguished Young Woman, receives $50,100 in scholarships (with video) |first=Daniela |last=Werner |newspaper=Press-Register |date=26 June 2010 |url=http://blog.al.com/live/2010/06/idaho_wins_junior_miss.html }}</ref> Tennessee's Katye Brock was Named America's 2011 Distinguished Young Woman.<ref name="dyms110625">{{cite press release |publisher=Distinguished Young Women |title=Scholarship, leadership and talent embodied in Tennessee teen selected as Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2011 |url=http://distinguishedyw.org/news/press_releases/june_2011/ |date=June 25, 2011 |accessdate=July 6, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415032405/http://distinguishedyw.org/news/press_releases/june_2011/ |archive-date=April 15, 2015 }}</ref> Christina Maxwell of Asheville, North Carolina was named Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012. Nicole Renard of Washington State was named Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2013. Brooke Rucker of Georgia was the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2014. On June 27, 2015, Alaska's Máire Nakada was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2015. In 2016, Tara Moore of South Carolina was named Distinguished Young Woman of America. The next year saw Skye Bork of DC named Distinguished Young Woman of 2017. On June 30, 2018, Aaryan Morrison from Kokomo, Indiana was named Distinguished Young Woman of 2018.

===2020s=== 2020 saw the competition held for the first time virtually resulting from COVID-19 pandemic.

==Past winners== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Date ! width=12% | Winner ! State/District ! City ! Age ! Awards ! Talent ! Notes |- | 1958 | March 1, 1958 | Phyllis Whitenack<ref name= "50 years">{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Murtaugh |title=50 Years of Junior Miss |url=http://blog.al.com/juniormiss/2007/06/50_years_of_junior_miss.html |work=AL.com |date=June 29, 2007}}</ref> | {{flagicon|West Virginia}} West Virginia | Bluefield | 17 | | Dramatic monologue | Given title "Junior Miss America"<ref name= "50 years"/> |- | 1959 | March 7, 1959 | Judi Humphrey<ref>{{cite news |title=Humphrey Junior Miss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/177714572/ |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=March 8, 1959|page=48}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Pennsylvania}} Pennsylvania | Lewistown | 17 | | Dramatic reading, {{small|"If—" by Rudyard Kipling}} | Title renamed "America’s Junior Miss" |- | 1960 | March 26, 1960 | Maureen Sullivan<ref>{{cite news |title=Junior Miss of Women |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/connellsville-daily-courier-apr-09-1960-p-5/ |work=Connellsville Daily Courier|date=April 9, 1960 |page=5}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Connecticut}} Connecticut | West Haven | 17 | | | |- | 1961 |March 24, 1961 | Mary Frances Luecke<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss From Missouri Showed 'Em |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/athens-messenger-mar-28-1961-p-3/ |work=Athens Messenger |date=March 28, 1961 |page=3}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Missouri}} Missouri | St. Louis | 18 | | | |- | 1962 | March 23, 1962 | Jean Allen<ref>{{cite news |title=Rhode Island Girl Is New Junior Miss |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/huntingdon-daily-news-mar-26-1962-p-2/ |work=Huntingdon Daily News |date=March 26, 1962 |page=2}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Rhode Island}} Rhode Island | Providence | 17 | | | |- | 1963 | March 16, 1963 | Diane Sawyer<ref name= "KY winners">{{cite news |first=Beth |last=Musgrave |title=Winchester teen named America's Junior Miss |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/clark-county/article44002581.html |work=Lexington Herald-Leader|date=June 29, 2009}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Kentucky}} Kentucky | Louisville | 17 | | | Former anchor of ''ABC World News''<ref name="Sawyer move to abc world news">{{cite news|last1=Stelter |first1=Brian |last2=Carter |first2=Bill |date=December 1, 2009 |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/in-a-low-key-hand-off-abcs-gibson-to-depart-on-dec-11/|title=ABC Plans Low-Key Handoff for 'World News'|work=The New York Times}}</ref> |- | 1964 | March 21, 1964 | Linda Felber<ref>{{cite news |title=Colfax, Wash., Girl Chosen Junior Miss of America |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/03/23/archives/colfax-wash-girl-chosen-junior-miss-of-america.html |work=The New York Times |date=March 22, 1964 }}</ref> | {{flagicon|Washington}} Washington | Colfax | 18 | | | |- | 1965 | March 19, 1965 | Patrice Gaunder<ref>{{cite news |title=Michigan Girl Crowned New Junior Miss |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-mar-21-1965-p-1/ |work=Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph |date=March 21, 1965|page=1}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Michigan}} Michigan | St. Joseph | 17 | | | |- | 1966 | March 26, 1966 | Diane Wilkins<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss Wisconsin 'Junior Miss' |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/morgantown-dominion-post-mar-27-1966-p-2/ |work=Morgantown Dominion Post |date=March 27, 1966 |page=2}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} Wisconsin | Wauwatosa | 18 | | | |- | 1967 | March 18, 1967 | Rosemary Dunaway<ref>{{cite news |title=Rosemary Dunaway of Little Rock new Junior Miss |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/columbus-daily-telegram-mar-20-1967-p-3/|work=Columbus Daily Telegram |date=March 20, 1967 |page=3}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Arkansas}} Arkansas | Little Rock | 18 | | | |- | 1968 | March 15, 1968 | Debi Faubion<ref>{{cite news |title=Junior Miss |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-mar-16-1968-p-1/ |work=Hanover Evening Sun |date=March 16, 1968 |page=1}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Oklahoma}} Oklahoma | Norman | | | | |- | 1969 | May 6, 1969 | Jackie Bennington<ref>{{cite news |title=Pageant Crown to California Entry |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43971469/ |work=The Salina Journalt |date=May 7, 1969 |page=2}}</ref> | {{flagicon|California}} California | Huntington Beach | | | | |- | 1970 | May 13, 1970 | Karen Stenwall<ref>{{cite news |title=Phoenix Lass Crowned Junior Miss |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19700514.1.61&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1 |work=San Bernardino Sun |date=May 14, 1970}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Arizona}} Arizona | Phoenix | 18 | | Ballet | |- | 1971 | May 5, 1971 |Arlene Stens<ref>{{cite news |title=Arlene Stens New Junior Miss |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-may-06-1971-p-45/ |work=Lowell Sun |date=May 6, 1971}}</ref> | {{flagicon|New Jersey}} New Jersey | Woodlynne | 18 | | | |- | 1972 | May 9, 1972 | Lydia Hodson<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Carlson |title=Remembering America's sweetheart |url=https://www.theandersonnews.com/content/remembering-america%E2%80%99s-sweetheart |work=The Anderson News |date=March 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=1972 Junior Miss Named |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/05/11/archives/1972-junior-miss-named.html |work=The New York Times |date=May 11, 1972}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Kentucky}} Kentucky | Lexington | 17 | | | |- | 1973 | May 9, 1973 |Linda Rutledge<ref>{{cite news |title=Linda Rutledge Is New Junior Miss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1426478/press_release_linda_rutledge_is_new/ |work=The Lincoln Star |date=May 12, 1973}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Kansas}} Kansas | Fort Leavenworth | 18 | | Classical piano | |- | 1974 | May 6, 1974 | Karen Morris<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Cheyenne Kiwanis Club |url=https://www.cheyennekiwanis.org/sitepage/b-history-of-cheyenne-kiwanis-club-b |website=Kiwanis Club of Cheyenne |quote=Cheyenne 's Junior Miss, Karen Morris, gave the entire State of Wyoming an unprecedented thrill when she was named America 's Junior Miss for 1974 at the nationally televised program in Mobile, Alabama.}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Wyoming}} Wyoming | Cheyenne | 18 | {{small| Preliminary Fitness Preliminary Poise & Appearance}} | | |- | 1975 | May 6, 1975 |Julie Ann Forshee<ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Wallace |title=A Special Greeting for Arkansas' Junior Miss |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-may-08-1975-p-1/ |work=Northwest Arkansas Times |date=May 8, 1975|page=1}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Arkansas}} Arkansas | Fayetteville | 17 | {{small| Preliminary Fitness Preliminary Poise & Appearance}} | Ballet/Gymnastics routine, {{small| "Music Box Mannequin"}} | |- | 1976 | May 10, 1976 | Lenne Jo Hallgren<ref>{{cite news |first= Kerri |last=Sandaine |title=America's Miss in 1976 comes home |url=https://lmtribune.com/northwest/america-s-miss-in-comes-home/article_b3d66911-9a4b-52f7-a604-d1355dd337a8.html |work=The Lewiston Tribune |date=March 22, 2008}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Washington}} Washington | Clarkston | 18 | | | |- | 1977 | May 9, 1977 | Christy Moller<ref>{{cite news |title=Arkansas girl new Junior Miss |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/biloxi-daily-herald-may-10-1977-p-8/ |work=Biloxi Daily Herald |date=May 10, 1977|page=8}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Arkansas}} Arkansas | | | | Ballet, {{small|"Doll on a Music Box"}} | |- | 1978 | May 8, 1978 | Kim Crosby<ref>{{cite news |title=Kim Crosby wins Junior Miss title |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/news-may-09-1978-p-27/ |work=The News |date=May 9, 1978 |page=27}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Missouri}} Missouri | Springfield | 17 | {{small|Preliminary Poise & Appearance}} | Vocal, {{small|Medley from ''Cinderella''}} | Starred in ''Guys and Dolls'' and ''Into the Woods'' on Broadway<ref>{{cite web |title=Kim Crosby |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/kim-crosby-72250 |website= Internet Broadway Database }}</ref> |- | 1979 | April 14, 1979 | Susan Horvath<ref>{{cite news |title=Johnstown Girl New "Junior Miss" |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-express-apr-16-1979-p-1/ |work=Dubois Courier Express |date=April 16, 1979}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Pennsylvania}} Pennsylvania | Johnstown | 17 | {{small| Preliminary Fitness Preliminary Poise & Appearance}} | Dance | |- | 1980 | July 2, 1980 | Julie Bryan<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia Girl Wins Junior Miss Crown |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/altoona-mirror-jul-03-1980-p-42/|work=Altoona Mirror Newspaper |date=July 3, 1980 |page=42}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)|1956}} Georgia | Thomasville | 18 | | Vocal, {{small| Medley from ''The King and I''}} |Former weekend anchor and co-host for ''Entertainment Tonight''<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20108058,00.html 50 Most Beautiful People] at People Magazine Archive; published May 9, 1994</ref> |- | 1981 | June 18, 1981 | Kimberly Smith<ref>{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Lowry |title=Kimberly Ann Smith, a 17-year-old blonde from Raleigh, N.C. |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/06/18/Kimberly-Ann-Smith-a-17-year-old-blonde-from-Raleigh-NC/5911361684800/ |work=United Press International |date=June 18, 1981}}</ref> | {{flagicon|North Carolina}} North Carolina | Raleigh | 17 | {{small|Preliminary Talent}} | Acrobatic jazz dance, {{small|"Be a Clown"}} | |- | 1982 | June 22, 1982 | Susan Hammett<ref>{{cite news |title=Junior Miss 1983 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19820623&id=vOYbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=llIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=976,8584393 |work=The Dispatch |date=June 23, 1982 |page=2 }}</ref> | {{flagicon|Mississippi|1894}} Mississippi | Hattiesburg | 17 | | Vocal, {{small|"First Love"}} | |- | 1983 | June 21, 1983 | Stephanie Ashmore<ref>{{cite news |first=Rod |last=Griffith |title=Stephanie Ashmore of Muscle Shoals, Ala., won America's Junior... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/06/22/Stephanie-Ashmore-of-Muscle-Shoals-Ala-won-Americas-Junior/2603425102400/ |work=United Press International |date=June 22, 1983}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Alabama}} Alabama | Muscle Shoals | 18 | {{small|Overall Fitness Overall Poise & Appearance}} | Ballet, {{small|"Bless the Beasts"}} | Mother of Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi 2012, Mallory Pitts |- | 1984 | June 20, 1984 | Amber Kvanli<ref>{{cite news |title=Junior Miss crowned |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/06/21/Junior-Miss-crowned/8748456638400/ |work=United Press International |date=June 21, 1984}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Minnesota}} Minnesota | Willmar | 17 | | Vocal, {{small|"The Varsity Drag"}} | |- | 1985 | June 21, 1985 | Valerie Lowrance<ref>{{cite news |title=Texas teen says she'll wear Junior Miss crown for others |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/06/22/Texas-teen-says-shell-wear-Junior-Miss-crown-for-others/9888488260800/ |work=United Press International |date=June 22, 1985}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Texas}} Texas | Seguin | 17 | {{small|Overall Fitness}} | Song and dance routine, {{small|"New York, New York"}} | |- | 1986 | June 21, 1986 | Lori Jo Smith<ref>{{cite news |first=Megan |last=Rosenfeld |title=Miss Appeal |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/07/30/miss-appeal/2fa7329d-0623-4d60-9e50-6232a57880cc/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 30, 1986}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Virginia}} Virginia | Vienna | 18 | | Jazz dance | |- | 1987 | June 20, 1987 | Chuti Tiu<ref>{{cite news |first=Garry |last=Mitchell |title=America's Junior Miss Title Goes To Wisconsin Pianist |url=https://www.apnews.com/64a335df5cdf526ef08f5cf3819e885b |work=Associated Press |date=June 21, 1987}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Wisconsin}} Wisconsin | West Allis | 17 | | Classical piano | First non-Caucasian winner<ref name= "Tiu">{{cite news |first=Al Carlos |last=Hernandez |title=Chuti Tiu, a Pageant Queen turned serious actor |url=http://www.heralddeparis.com/chuti-tiu-a-pageant-queen-turned-serious-actor/ |work=Herald de Paris |date=October 23, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502160035/http://www.heralddeparis.com/chuti-tiu-a-pageant-queen-turned-serious-actor/ |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later Miss Illinois 1994<ref name= "Tiu"/> |- | 1988 | June 25, 1988 | Kristen Logan<ref>{{cite news |first=Garry |last=Mitchell |title=Mississippian Crowned America's Junior Miss |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-26-mn-8459-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 26, 1988}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Mississippi|1894}} Mississippi | Hattiesburg | 17 | {{small|Overall Fitness}} | Vocal, {{small|"Somewhere Out There"}} | |- | 1989 | July 22, 1989 | Kristin Huxhold<ref>{{cite news |first=Garry |last=Mitchell |title=Judges Select Missouri Entrant America's Young Woman of the Year |url=https://www.apnews.com/eb20c56c0ecb385ce30d3f104c6c8819 |work=Associated Press |date=July 22, 1989}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Missouri}} Missouri | Kirkwood | 18 | {{small|Overall Interview}} | Vocal | Title renamed "America's Young Woman of the Year" Appeared on Broadway in ensemble of ''Les Misérables''<ref>{{cite web |title=Kristin Huxhold |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/kristin-huxhold-111354 |website= Internet Broadway Database }}</ref> |- | 1990 | July 14, 1990 | Sara Martin<ref>{{cite news |title=Confidence won beauty title |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-intelligencer-jul-17-1990-p-21/ |work=Doylestown Intelligencer |date=July 17, 1990}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Illinois}} Illinois | Schaumburg | 19 | | Vocal | Later Miss Illinois 1993<ref>{{cite news |first=Etelka |last=Lehoczky |title=Miss Illinois |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/miss-illinois/Content?oid=884778 |work= Chicago Reader |date=June 16, 1994}}</ref> |- | 1991 |June 26, 1991 | Amy Goodman<ref>{{cite news |first=Angela |last=Levins |title=1991 America's Young Woman of the Year credits program with career success |url=https://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/06/qa_with_1991_americas_young_wo.html |work=Press-Register |date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> | rowspan=2 | {{flagicon|California}} California | | | | | |- | 1992 | June 27, 1992 | Tiffany Stoker<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss California "Woman of Year" |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-times-news-jun-29-1992-p-2/ |work=Cumberland Times News |date=June 29, 1992 |page=2}}</ref> | Clovis | | | Vocal | Later Miss California 1995<ref>{{cite news |title=BYU Student Is Crowned Miss California for 1995 |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/427197/BYU-STUDENT-IS-CROWNED-MISS-CALIFORNIA-FOR-1995.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025030419/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/427197/BYU-STUDENT-IS-CROWNED-MISS-CALIFORNIA-FOR-1995.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2014 |work=Deseret News |date=July 10, 1995}}</ref> 3rd runner-up at Miss America 1996 pageant<ref>{{cite news|first=Roxanne |last=Roberts |title=Miss Oklahoma Wins, So Does Pageant Tradition |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1995/09/17/miss-oklahoma-wins-so-does-pageant-tradition/37616317-504d-4fb6-825d-08224ec8475f/ |date=September 17, 1995}}</ref> |- |- | 1993 | June 26, 1993 | Rebecca Jones<ref>{{cite news |first=Wendy |last=King |title=Cartersville's Brooke Rucker Is The Distinguished Young Woman Of America 2014 |url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/2014/6/30/279446/Cartersville-s-Brooke-Rucker-Is-The.aspx |work=Deseret News |date=July 30, 2014}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)|1956}} Georgia | Calhoun | 18 | | | Title renamed "America's Junior Miss" |- | 1994 | July 23, 1994 | Amy Osmond<ref>{{cite news |title= New Junior Miss Is an Osmond From Utah |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/366092/NEW-JUNIOR-MISS-IS-AN-OSMOND-FROM-UTAH.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205204636/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/366092/NEW-JUNIOR-MISS-IS-AN-OSMOND-FROM-UTAH.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 5, 2011 |work=Deseret News |date=July 24, 1994}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Utah|1913}} Utah | Bountiful | 17 | {{small|Spirit Award}} | Violin | Niece of Donny and Marie Osmond<ref name="Utahs"/> |- | 1995 | July 1, 1995 | Kiersten Rickenbach<ref name= "ricken">{{cite news |first=Caitlyn |last= Stulpin |title=The drug-filled final hours of a doctor, beauty queen and what's happened since |url=https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/the_drug-filled_final_hours_of_doctor_beauty_queen.html |work=NJ.com |date=August 17, 2017}}</ref> | {{flagicon|New Jersey}} New Jersey | Washington Township | 18 | | Dance | Died of cocaine overdose in 2015<ref name= "ricken"/> |- | 1996 | June 29, 1996 | Andrea Plummer<ref>{{cite web|title=Tennessean Wins Junior Miss Title |work=Deseret News |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/499183/TENNESSEAN-WINS-JUNIOR-MISS-TITLE.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111093239/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/499183/TENNESSEAN-WINS-JUNIOR-MISS-TITLE.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |date=July 1, 1996}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Tennessee}} Tennessee | Collierville | 18 | | Ballet, "Forrest Gump Suite" | Later Miss New York 2001, 4th runner-up at Miss America 2002 pageant |- | 1997 | June 29, 1997 | Tyrenda Williams<ref>{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Dayyeh |title=America's Junior Miss |url=http://articles.mcall.com/1998-07-01/news/3218873_1_crowned-miss-america |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111133532/http://articles.mcall.com/1998-07-01/news/3218873_1_crowned-miss-america |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |work=Jet Magazine |date=July 21, 1997 |volume=92 | number=9 |page=17}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Alabama}} Alabama | Birmingham | 18 | | | First African American crowned<ref name= "50 years"/> |- | 1998 | June 29, 1998 | Susan Davidson<ref>{{cite news |first=Susan |last=Ruiz Patton |title=Pa. Junior Miss Wins National Crown |url=https://www.mcall.com/1998/07/01/pa-junior-miss-wins-national-crown-butler-resident-susan-kimberly-davidson-18-is-the-third-from-state-to-win-at-the-teen-pageant/ |work=The Morning Call |date=July 1, 1998}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Pennsylvania}} Pennsylvania | Butler | 18 | {{small|Overall Scholastics Overall Talent}} | Piano, {{small|"Toccatta" by Aram Khachaturian}} | |- | 1999 | June 28, 1999 | Sarah Jane Everman<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia Teen Named America's Junior Miss |url=http://www.sddt.com/News/article.cfm?SourceCode=19990629cd#.W9zw5BNKgWo |work=San Diego Source |date=June 29, 1999}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)|1956}} Georgia | Kennesaw | 18 | {{small|Fitness Category Presence & Composure Category}} | Vocal, {{small| "Don't Rain on My Parade" from ''Funny Girl''}} | Appeared in ''Wicked'', ''Bright Star'', and ''Cats'' on Broadway<ref>{{cite web |title=Sarah Jane Everman |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/sarah-jane-everman-390263 |website= Internet Broadway Database }}</ref> |- | 2000 | June 28, 2000 | Jesika Henderson<ref name="Utahs">{{cite news |title=Utahn named U.S. Junior Miss |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/768918/Utahn-named-US-Junior-Miss.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401050407/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/768918/Utahn-named-US-Junior-Miss.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 1, 2010 |work=Deseret News |date=June 29, 2000}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Utah|1913}} Utah | St. George | 18 | | Modern dance, {{small|"Stradivarius"}} | |- | 2001 | June 27, 2001 | Carrie Colvin<ref>{{cite news |title=Passing the Crown |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/850400/Passing-the-crown.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111133534/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/850400/Passing-the-crown.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |work=Deseret News |date=June 28, 2001}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Alabama}} Alabama | Birmingham | 18 | | Jazz dance, {{small|"America" from ''West Side Story''}} | |- | 2002 | June 28, 2002 | Amy Kerr<ref>{{cite news |title=Oregon's Kerr Named U.S. Junior Miss |url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Oregon-s-Kerr-Named-U-S-Junior-Miss-8888650.php |work=My Plainview |date=June 29, 2002}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Oregon}} Oregon | Keizer | | {{small|Overall Poise Overall Talent}} | Operatic vocal, {{small|"Quando m'en vo'" from ''La bohème''}} | |- | 2003 | June 28, 2003 | Andrea Finch<ref>{{cite news |title=California contestant wins Junior Miss crown |url=http://www.gadsdentimes.com/news/20040628/texan-shannon-essenpreis-wins-2004-junior-miss-title |work=The Gadsden Times |date=June 30, 2003}}</ref> | {{flagicon|California}} California | Indio | 18 | | | |- | 2004 | June 26, 2004 | Shannon Essenpreis<ref>{{cite news |first=Ashley |last=Elkins |title=Texan Shannon Essenpreis wins 2004 Junior Miss title |url=http://www.gadsdentimes.com/news/20040628/texan-shannon-essenpreis-wins-2004-junior-miss-title |work=The Gadsden Times |date=June 28, 2004}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Texas}} Texas | Garland | 18 | {{small|Overall Self Expression}} | Vocal | |- | 2005 | June 26, 2005 | Kelli Schutz<ref>{{cite news |first=Ashley |last=Elkins |title=Final America's Junior Miss title goes to Mississippian |url=http://www.djournal.com/news/final-america-s-junior-miss-title-goes-to-mississippian/article_7d0a3ac8-bbb0-5f5f-93ff-cf66dcd69cb6.html |work=Daily Journal |date=June 26, 2005}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Mississippi|2001}} Mississippi | Brandon | | {{small|Overall Fitness Overall Self Expression}} | Ballet | Married to former NFL quarterback, Brodie Croyle<ref>{{cite news |last= Hicks |first= Tommy |url= http://www.al.com/sports/mobileregister/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsports%2F1183281561186880.xml&coll=3 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070706123919/http://www.al.com/sports/mobileregister/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsports%2F1183281561186880.xml&coll=3 |url-status= dead |archive-date= July 6, 2007 |title=Croyle ready to run offense, walk down aisle |work=Press-Register |date=July 1, 2007}}</ref> |- | 2006 | June 28, 2006 | Taylor Phillips<ref name= "KY winners"/> | {{flagicon|Kentucky}} Kentucky | Versailles | | | Dance | |- | 2007 | June 30, 2007 | Nora Ali<ref>{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Murtaugh |title=Ali family emigrates from Bangladesh to raise America's Junior Miss |url=http://blog.al.com/juniormiss/2007/07/ali_family_emigrates_from_bang.html |work=AL.com |date=July 2, 2007}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Minnesota}} Minnesota | Mendota Heights | 17 | | Violin, {{small|"Zigeunerweisen," by Pablo de Sarasate}} | |- | 2008 | June 28, 2008 | Lindsey Brinton<ref>{{cite news |first=Arthur |last=Raymond |title=Utahn wins America Junior Miss crown |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700239113/Utahn-wins-America-Junior-Miss-crown.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111104813/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700239113/Utahn-wins-America-Junior-Miss-crown.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |work=Deseret News |date=June 20, 2008}}</ref><ref name="2008AJM">{{cite web|title= Utah's Lindsey Brinton wins AJM|work= AL.com |url=http://blog.al.com/juniormiss/2008/06/lindsey_brnton_of_utah_wins_aj.html |date=June 28, 2008}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Utah|1913}} Utah | Salt Lake City | 18 | {{small|Fitness Category Interview Category Scholastics Category Talent Category}} | Piano | Previously Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen 2007<ref>{{cite news|first=Donna |last=Milakovic |work= Daily Herald |title=Outstanding teen pageant in Lehi |url=https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/outstanding-teen-pageant-in-lehi/article_4827c381-7902-55a0-a532-66cecc628079.html |date= October 25, 2006}}</ref> 1st runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 pageant<ref name="2007MAOT">{{cite web|first=Fred |last=Abel |title= MAOT's Super Bowl |work= Pageantry Magazine |url=https://www.pageantrymagazine.com/magazine/features/2007/d07/d07_MAOT2007/MAOT-2007.htm }}</ref> |- | 2009 | June 27, 2009 | Michelle Rodgers<ref>{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Murtaugh |title=It's off to the Big Apple for new AJM Rodgers |url=http://blog.al.com/juniormiss/2009/06/its_off_to_the_big_apple_for_n.html |work=AL.com |date=June 29, 2009}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Kentucky}} Kentucky | Winchester | | | {{small|Interview Category}} | Vocal, {{small|"Taylor the Latte Boy"}} | |- | 2010 | June 26, 2010 | Madison Leonard<ref>{{cite news |first=Casandra |last=Andrews |title=Idaho Junior Miss wins U.S. title |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/28/in-brief-idaho-junior-miss-wins-us-title/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=June 28, 2010}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Idaho}} Idaho | Coeur d'Alene | | | Vocal/Piano, {{small|"The Nearness of You" by Hoagy Carmichael}} | Title renamed "Distinguished Young Woman"<ref>{{cite news |title=America's Junior Miss gets new name; 10 finalists introduced as Distinguished Young Women |first=Daniela |last=Werner |newspaper=Press-Register |date=June 26, 2010 |url=http://blog.al.com/live/2010/06/americas_junior_miss_gets_new.html }}</ref> |- | 2011 |June 25, 2011 | Katye Brock<ref>{{cite news |first=Casandra |last=Andrews |title=Meet Katye Brock, America's Distinguished Young Woman for 2011 |url=http://blog.al.com/live/2011/06/meet_katye_brock_americas_dist.html |work=AL.com |date=June 27, 2011}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Tennessee}} Tennessee | Tullahoma | 18 | |Vocal, {{small|"Defying Gravity" from ''Wicked''}} | |- | 2012 | June 30, 2012 | Christina Maxwell<ref>{{cite news |first=Emily |last=Hill |title=Meet Christina Maxwell of North Carolina, Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012 |url=http://blog.al.com/live/2012/07/meet_christina_maxwell_of_nort.html |work=AL.com |date=July 2, 2012}}</ref> | {{flagicon|North Carolina}} North Carolina | Asheville | 18 | | Vocal, {{small|"The Phantom of the Opera"}} | |- | 2013 | June 29, 2013 | Nicole Renard<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Nicole Renard, Distinguished Young Woman of America 2013 |publisher=AL.com |url=http://blog.al.com/live/2013/06/meet_nicole_renard_distinguish.html |date=June 30, 2013}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Washington}} Washington | Kennewick | 18 | {{small|Talent Category}} | Musical theater dance, {{small|"Amazing Mayzie" from ''Seussical''}} | Previously Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2011<ref name="NRenard">{{cite web|first= Cameron |last= Probert |title= Kennewick native earns Miss Washington crown |publisher= Tri-City Herald |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article163037408.html |date=July 21, 2017}}</ref> Later Miss Washington 2017<ref name="Renard2017">{{cite web |title=Photos: Meet Nicole Renard, our new Miss Washington! |publisher=Seattle Refined |url=http://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/photos-you-go-girl-we-have-a-new-miss-washington|date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> |- | 2014 |June 28, 2014 | Brooke Rucker<ref>{{cite news |first=Glen Luke |last=Flanagan |title=Meet Brooke Rucker of Georgia, America's Distinguished Young Woman for 2014 |url=https://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2014/06/meet_brooke_rucker_of_georgia.html |work=AL.com |date=June 29, 2014}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} Georgia | Cartersville | 18 | {{small|Fitness Category Interview Category}} | Tap dance, {{small|"Hot Honey Rag" from ''Chicago''}} | |- | 2015 | June 27, 2015 | Máire Nakada<ref>{{cite news |first=Tamara |last=Ikenberg |title=Distinguished Young Woman of America Maire Nakada step - dances her way to success |url=https://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/06/distinguished_young_women_4.html |work=AL.com |date=June 28, 2015}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Alaska}} Alaska | Anchorage | 18 | {{small|Interview Category Talent Category}} | Irish step dance, {{small|"Trolleyed" by Beoga}} | |- | 2016 |June 25, 2016 | Tara Moore<ref>{{cite news |first=Michelle |last=Matthews |title=DYW winner Tara Moore of South Carolina: 'A banner night for Clemson girls' |url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/06/dyw_winner_tara_moore_of_south.html|work=AL.com |date=June 26, 2016}}</ref> | {{flagicon|South Carolina}} South Carolina | Easley | | {{small|Fitness Category Self-expression Category Talent Category}} |Jazz dance | |- | 2017 | July 1, 2017 | Skye Bork<ref>{{cite news |first=Michelle |last=Matthews |title=Skye Bork of District of Columbia named Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2017 |url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/07/skye_bork_of_district_of_colum.html|work=AL.com |date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> | {{flagicon|District of Columbia}} District of Columbia | Washington, D.C. | 18 | {{small|Fitness Category Interview Category Self-expression Category Scholastics Category Talent Category}} | Classical ballet en pointe, {{small|"Carmen Suite No. 1 Aragonaise" by Georges Bizet}} | |- | 2018 | June 30, 2018 | Aaryan Morrison<ref>{{cite news |first=Michelle |last=Matthews |title=Indiana's Aaryan Morrison named Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2018 |url=https://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/06/indianas_aaryan_morrison_named.html |work=AL.com |date=July 1, 2018}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Indiana}} Indiana | Kokomo | | {{small|Interview Category Scholastics Category Talent Category}} | Lyrical dance, {{small|"To Build a Home"}} | First generation South African American<ref>{{cite news |title=Morrison, KHS salutatorian, to participate in Distinguished Young Women National Finals |url=http://www.kokomotribune.com/news/local_news/morrison-khs-salutatorian-to-participate-in-distinguished-young-women-national/article_8cf1969e-6da9-11e8-8506-47df438bb72a.html |work=Kokomo Tribune |date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2019 | June 29, 2019 | Dora Guo<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Dumas |title=Dora Guo of Illinois reigns as DYW 2019 |url=https://www.al.com/news/2019/06/dora-guo-of-illinois-reigns-as-dyw-2019.html|work=AL.com |date=June 29, 2019}}</ref> | {{flagicon|Illinois}} Illinois | Vernon Hills | | {{small|Interview Category Scholastics Category}} | Traditional Mongolian fan dance | First generation Chinese American |- | 2020 | June 27, 2020 | Elif Ozyurekoglu | {{flagicon|Kentucky}} Kentucky | Louisville | | | | |- |2021 |June 26, 2021 |Destiny Cluck<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dumas |first=Michael |date=2021-06-29 |title=For DYW, a bright night of Destiny |url=https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2021/06/for-dyw-a-bright-night-of-destiny.html |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=al |language=en}}</ref> |{{flagicon|Georgia (US state)}} Georgia |Kennesaw | | |Ballet en pointe, Astor Piazzolla’s “Primavera Portena” | |- |2022 |June 25, 2022 |Katelyn Cai<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colurso |first=Mary |date=2022-06-26 |title=Arizona teen named Distinguished Young Woman 2022; Alabama teen is first runner-up |url=https://www.al.com/life/2022/06/arizona-teen-named-distinguished-young-woman-2022-alabama-teen-is-first-runner-up.html |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=al.com }}</ref> |{{flagicon|Arizona}} Arizona |Scottsdale | |{{Small|Scholastics Category Interview Category Talent Category Self-expression Category Fitness Category}} |Contemporary dance routine, “This Woman’s Work,” by Kate Bush |Previously Miss Arizona's Outstanding Teen 2019 1st runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2020 |- |2023 |June 24, 2023 |Carrington Hodge |{{flagicon|Alabama}} Alabama |Helena | |{{Small|Interview Category Talent Category Self-expression Category Fitness Category}} |Dance routine, "Blackbird" |- |2024 |June 29, 2024 |Alicia Chu |{{Flagicon|Delaware}} Delaware |Newark | |Scholastics Category

Interview Category

Talent Category

Self-Expression Category |Vocal |- |2025 |June 28, 2025 |Nikita Chincholkar |{{flagicon|Oregon}} Oregon |Portland | |Scholastics Category

Interview Category

Talent Category

Fitness Category |Bharatanatyam Fusion Dance | |}

==Winners by state== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! State ! Number of titles won ! Year(s) won |- | Kentucky | rowspan="2" | {{center|5}} | 1963, 1972, 2006, 2009, 2020 |- | Georgia | 1980, 1993, 1999, 2014, 2021 |- | California | rowspan="2" | {{center|4}} | 1969, 1991, 1992, 2003 |- |Alabama |1983, 1997, 2001, 2023 |- |Washington | rowspan="6" | {{center|3}} | 1964, 1976, 2013 |- |Utah | 1994, 2000, 2008 |- | Mississippi | 1982, 1988, 2005 |- | Pennsylvania | 1959, 1979, 1998 |- | Missouri | 1961, 1978, 1989 |- | Arkansas | 1967, 1975, 1977 |- |Arizona | rowspan="9" |{{center|2}} | 1970, 2022 |- |Illinois |1990, 2019 |- |Oregon |2002, 2025 |- |North Carolina |1981, 2012 |- |Tennessee | 1996, 2011 |- | Minnesota | 1984, 2007 |- |Texas | 1985, 2004 |- | Wisconsin | 1966, 1987 |- | New Jersey | 1971, 1995 |- |Delaware | rowspan="15" |{{center|1}} |2024 |- | Indiana | 2018 |- |District of Columbia | 2017 |- | South Carolina | 2016 |- | Alaska | 2015 |- |Idaho |2010 |- |Virginia | 1986 |- |Wyoming |1974 |- |Kansas | 1973 |- |Oklahoma |1968 |- |Michigan |1965 |- | Rhode Island | 1962 |- |Connecticut | 1960 |- | West Virginia | 1958 |}

===States without winners=== There have been no winners from the following states: {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Colorado * Florida * Hawaii * Iowa * Louisiana * Maine * Maryland * Massachusetts * Montana * Nebraska * Nevada * New Hampshire * New Mexico * New York * North Dakota * Ohio * South Dakota * Vermont {{div col end}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== *{{official website|http://www.ajm.org/}}

Category:Cultural institutions in Mobile, Alabama Category:American organizations established in 1958 Category:American awards Category:Junior Chamber International Category:Women's organizations based in the United States